Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
The Virginia Department of Education has released results from the Standards of Learning tests administered near the end of the previous academic year. Good news for Roanoke County Public Schools – students “made significant gains in performance,” especially in math. Reading increased by 4 percentage points and math scores were up by 11 percent. A County school system official says they are “back to pre-pandemic performance in many of individual subjects.” Both reading and math scores in Roanoke County were well above the statewide average.
Roanoke County Public Schools’ officials invite the public to discuss business and training needs that the planned Career and Technical Education Center could meet. Officials hope that by inviting the business community to discuss the training gaps that they see, the new center’s curricula can better address the needs of local industry. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with more:
Its been on the wish list says an assistant dean involved in the planning stages – and now a welcoming space where students can meet and get to know each other better on the Virginia Tech Carilion campus in Roanoke is being officially launched today. That story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Kiwanis Club of Roanoke photo
Dr. Brenda Hale, long time president of the Roanoke NAACP chapter and community activist, was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke yesterday with an honorary naming of the Roanoke Star atop Mill Mountain, a fundraising program the Kiwanis Club initiated several years ago. A sign near the Mill Mountain Star viewing platform will recognize that naming for the next year.
The Wellness Rodeo returns to CHIP on 3rd Street Downtown, this afternoon. This month’s theme? Back to School. CHIP of the Roanoke Valley will be host to Queenpin Acupuncture’s Wellness Rodeo until four PM today. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with details:
For the first time since 2019 the City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority is accepting applications for its “housing choice voucher program.” There’s only a 5-day window to sign up on line, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell has high hopes for the shared wet/dry lab space that will be established in downtown Roanoke, after an existing building is renovated. Live in studio this morning Cowell said the lab space will be a joint effort. Hear the complete conversation on that and other topics below:
For a 15th year our sister station Star Country 94.9 is teaming up with Children’s Miracle Network today for the “Cure Kids Cancer” radiothon until 6-pm. The goal is $170,000; including sponsorships. They were about halfway there by 8am this morning. Tune in to Star Country or see the information below for more on how to make a donation until 6pm today – to help Cure Kids Cancer. Star Country has helped raise more than 3 million dollars over the past 15 years for CMN. Macy Ware is the Southwest Virginia program director for Children’s Miracle Network:
How to give:
Image from Roanoke City Website
National Night Out events will be held all over Roanoke tonight, and a new neighborhood will be joining the City’s festivities. The annual National Night Out campaign will have events all over Roanoke this evening, and this year Williamson road will be joining in. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with more:
Click here for a full list of National Night Out events in Roanoke